Steam-generator.



Patented Dec. 26, |899.

J. E. THRNYCRFT.

STEAM GENERATOR.

(Application filed Dec. 22 1897.)

4 Shees--Sheet l.

(No Medel.)

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No. 639,952. Patented Dec. 26, i899. J. E. THRNYCBOFT.

STEAM GENERATOR.

(Application Bled Dec. 22, 1897.) v(No Model.) 4 Sheets-.Sheet 2.

TN: Nonms :1L-rens co., PHoTaLlmo.. wAzmNGToN. n. c.

Patented Dec. 26, |899.

J. E. THORNYCRUFT.

STEAM GIENERATR.

(Application filed Dec. 22,' 1897.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Modal.)

TM: Nonms Pneus co.. Puma-Uma, wAsnlNomN. u. c4,

Nn. 639,952- Patented nec. 26, i899. J. E. THoRNYcRoFT.

STEAM GENERATOR.

(Application, led Dec. 22, 1897.)

V4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No'mudel.)

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TH: Nonms Ecrins ca. PNoraLnHo.. wAsHmToN. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.IOIIN EDWARD TI-IORNYCROFT, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

STEAM-G EN ERATOR.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 639,952, dated December 26 1899- i Application flled December 22, 1897. Serial No. 662,968. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN EDWARD THORNY- CROFT, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at Ohiswick, London,in the county of lVIiddleseX,England,have invented certain Improvements in Steam- Generators, (for which Letters Patent of Great Britainv and Ireland, No. 8,326,y dated March 31, 1897, have been granted to me`,) of which the following is a specification.

The object of the invention is to produce a light and compactly-built generator which shall be adapted for use in a limited spacesuch, for instance, as is afforded in motorvehicles or in other similar relations wherein it is very important to economize space-and which shall have in proportion to its size a large area exposed to the action of the heat.

ing agencies, and consequently a high capacity for steam generation.

With this and ot-her objects in view the invention consists in certain constructions, parts, improvements, and combinations, as will be hereinafter fully described and then pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, which constitute a part of this specification and in which like reference characters indicate .the same parts, Figure l shows a vertical central section of a steam-generator embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan thereof. Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views showing modified forms of the generator.

Referring to the construction shown in Fig. l, 3 indicates the tube-sheet of an upper annular steam and'water chamber. The upper part 1 of this water-chamber, which is preferably of U shape in cross-section, though it may be of any form, and which may be made either of cast metal or pressed steel, is provided with ou twardly-turned flanges 2. These flanges are connected to the tube-sheet 3 by bolts 1l, passing through the iianges and the tube-sheet. The tube-sheet 3 is preferably formed to provide an opening 5,through which fuel may be fed to the combustion-chamber, said opening being closed bya suitable door, which is or may be counter-weighted, so that it will remain open without being held. The

generator is provided with a lower waterchamber, which is situated at the lower part of the generator and preferably in close proximity to the fire-grate, and which is similar in configuration to the upper chamber, but is of lesser capacity. It is shown as comprising an annular part 7, also preferably of U or channel section, provided with flanges S, to which a tube-'sheet 9 is secured by bolts 10. The upper and lower annular chambers are connected by rows of water-tubes 11 and 12. Asherein shown, these rows of tubes are two in number; but it will be understood that more tubes may be used, if desired. The tubes and annular chambers form a fire-box or combustion-chamber, as will be fully explain ed. In the construction shown the tubes of the inner row are marked l1, and the tubes of the outer roW are marked 12. The tubes of each row are so arranged at their ends or the points Where they connect with the tube-sheets 3 and 9 that every alternate tube of each row is at a greater radial distance from the vertical axis of the fire-box than the corresponding ends of the tube contiguous to it. Between its ends each tube is bent so that the contiguousv tubes of each row touch ,each other at about the middle of their length and for a considerable distance each side of the middle. In

other words, the tubes of the inner row 11 are bentinward, so that at their centers and forl a considerable distance each side they are all at substantially the same radial distance from the vertical center of the fire-box, and the tubes of the outer row 12 are also bent inward, so that each tube of this row at its center and for a considerable distance each side is substantially at the same radial distance from the vertical axis of the fire-box. By thus bending the tubes I am enabled to form the entire inner wall of the combustion-chamber wholly of tubesand also toform the outer wall of the smoke-chamber entirely of tubes, thereby gaining largely in heating area, and at the f same time I make the necessary provision for expansion and contraction of the tubes, and thereby am enabled to run the tubes into the tube-sheets or into the top and bottom of the Waterand steam and water chambers in a substantially vertical line, whereby I gain very materially in space, as it is obvious that if the tubes were bent and connected to the sides instead of the bottom and top of the annular chambers the diameter of the generator would be materially increased. It is also obvious IOO that if fiat tube-sheets arranged as shown were connected by inner and outer walls consisting of straight tubes the expansion of the tubes would tend to strain or weaken the joints be tween the tubes and the tube-sheets. With tubes bent as shown, however, I construct a generator which will be practically but little greaterin diameter than if straight tubes were used, and at the same time any tendency to weaken the joints between the tubes and the tube-sheets resulting from expansion and contraction will be obviated by reason of the bent tubes, as the expansion and contraction will be taken up in the tubes. By arranging the tubes of each row at dierent radial distances from the diameter of the fire-box a further advantage is gained, as I thus provide openings through which the products of combustion may be led into the space between the rows of tubes, and at the same time, although a large number of tubes are employed, the tubesheets are not weakened by undue contiguity of the apertures in the tube-sheets.

In the construction shown in Fig. 1 the products of combustion are shown as being led between the tubes of the inner wall at their upper ends and then take a downward course between the two rows of tubes. In order to insure that the products take the downward course referred to, I provide a shield or guard 20 around the upper ends of the tubes which form the outer wall, thereby closing the openings between the tubes at this point.

In the lower part of the combustion-chamber is located the {ire-box 13, below which is shown the usual chamber 14, containing the removable ash-pan 15.. The outer casing of the generator is shown at 16. When the funnel or chimney cannot be made high enough to create sufficient draft, a suitable draft device may be used. Such a draft device may be a fan 1 8, provided with a casing 17, as herein shown'. The blades of the fan may be, as represented, straight and radial, so as to have an exhausting action whether the fan be driven backward or forward. The fan-casing may be connected to a suitable funnel or chimney 19, as shown in Fig. 1 in full lines, or the fan may discharge the products of combustiou downward into a iiue 19, as indicated in dotted lines in the same figure.

The course of the products ofcombustion is indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1. They ascend to the upper part of the fire-box, then pass between the upper ends of the inner wall 1l into the chamber between the tubes, and thence downwardly and out between the lower ends of the outer walls of the tubes.

In the upper part of the combustion-chamber I preferably locate a suitable baffie-plate 21, by which the products of combustion are prevented from coming directly into contact with the tube-sheets 3.

22 is a steam-pipe forming a steam-dome, in which is contained a pipe 23, which may be perforated and connected with any suitable form of steam-separating device.

The fire-bars forming the grate may with advantage be riveted together in separate groups, so that when it is necessary to clean the lire the central group can be removed by pulling it out with a lire-tool and the clinkered fire be pushed through the opening thus formed in the grate and allowed to fall into the ash-pan.

In the form of generator shown in Fig` 3 the capacity of the upper steam and water chamber is comparatively small and there is provided a steam and water cylinder or drum 26, which is connected by means of a pipe 27 with the upper steam and water chamber and by a downtake-pipe 28 with the lower waterchamber.

In order to insure as far as possible that the passage of the hot gases shall take place evenly around the lire-box and not by a short course to the fan or chimney, a plate, such as 29, (see Fig. 3,) may be arranged to extend partly along the outer row of tubes.

In the form of generator shown in Fig. 4 the upper steam and water chamber is formed by an annular tube-sheet 3 and concentric inner and outer rings or plates 1n and 1b, each formed or provided at the lower ends with an inwardlyA turned flange 1C and at the upper end with an outwardly-turned flange 1d and a removable cover-plate 1C. The rings 1a and lb are counected to the tube-sheet 3 by rivets or the like passing through the fianges le, and the cover-v plate le is heldin place by bolts or studs and nuts 30, as shown. The rings or plates l and 1b may be formed in one with the tube-plate 3, if desired. The cover-plate 1"l is formed with grooves 1f, into which the edges of the rings 1rl and 1b take. The pipe 22, forming the 'steamdome, is bolted to the cover-plate 1e over a steam-inlet opening or openings 31 in the lat- IOO ter, and the main steam-pipe 32, which is atl tached to and passes through the ring or plate 1b, extends through the opening 31 into the upper part of the pipe 22. 33 is a mudcock, of which several may be Iitted to the water-chamber 7. The firing door or cover 6 is provided with a handle 6K, by which it can be removed when required. As will be evident, a construction of this kind facilitates cleaning of the boiler, as by removing the cover-plate 1e all the tubes can be easily got at and water can be introduced into the upper annular chamber for washing out the tubes, dirty water being run off through the mudcocks 33.

It is to be understood that while it is preferable in most cases to make the upper water and steam chamber and the lower waterchamber of annular shape, as this form is usually the most economical, so far as room is concerned, yet it may be desirable in some cases to make these chambers of other shapes, which of generator, when embodying the other features of the invention, are within the scope of the invention, and it will be understood, therefore, that the term annular, which is used in the claims hereunto appended, is not to be construed strictly, but is intended to cover generally forms of chambers which are composed of tubes either round or polygonal in cross-section and which are bent so as to return upon themselves, thus forming continuous chambers.

What I claim isl. A steam-generator comprising an upper annular steam and water chamber having a removable side, a fuel-opening bounded by the chamber, means for closing said opening, a lower annular water-chamber having a re- 1n ovable side, tubes connecting the under side of the upper chamber with the upper side of the lower chamber, said tubes being arranged close together so as to form a combustionchamber, and means for maintaining a tire in the combustion-chamber, substantially as described.

2. A steam-generator comprising an upper annular steam and water chamber, said chamber having a removable side, a fuel-opening bounded by the chamber, means for closing said opening, a steam-dome connected to said chamber, a lower annular water-chamber having a removable side, tubes connecting the under side of the upper chamber with the upper side'of the lower chamber, said tubes being arranged close together so as to form a combustion-chamber, and means for maintaining a fire in the combustion-chamber, substantially as described.

3. A steam-generator comprising an upper annular steam and water chamber, a lower Water-chamber of substantially similar configuration, a row of tubes connecting the under side of the upper chamber with the upper side of the lower chamber, said tubes being bent between their ends so as to touch each other at their centers and for some distance on each side of the center whereby a combustion-chamber is formed and the tendency of the tubes to expand or contract is taken up in the tubes, thereby avoiding the weakening of the joints between the tubes and the chambers, substantially as described.

4. A steam-generator comprising an upper annular steam and water chamber, a lower water-chamber of substantially similar configuration, a row of tubes connecting the under side of the upper chamber with the upper side of the lower chamber, said tubes being bent between their ends so as to touch each other at their centers and for some distance on each side of the center whereby a combustion-chamber is formed and the tendency ofthe tubes to expand or contract is taken up in the tubes, thereby avoiding the weakening of the joints between the tubes and the chambers, and means for maintaining a tire in said combustion-chamber, substantially as described.

5. A steam-generator comprising an upper annular steam and water chamber, a lower water-chamber of substantially similar configuration, a plurality of vrows of tubes connecting the bottom of the upper chamber with the top of the lower chamber, the said tubes being bent between their ends so as to touch each other at about their centers and for some distance each side thereof, alternate tubes of each row being arranged with their ends at a greater radial distance from the center of the space inclosed by the t-ubes than the ends of the contiguous tubes whereby the inner row of tubes forms a combustion-.chamber and the other row of tubes a smoke-chamber, substantially as described.

6. A steam-generator comprising an upper annular steam and water chamber, a lower water-chamber of substantially similar configuration, a plurality of rows of tubes connecting the bottom of the upper chamber with the top of the lower chamber, the said tubes being bent between their ends so as to touch each other at about their centers and for some distance each side thereof, alternate tubes of each row being arranged with their ends at a greater radial distance from the center of the lspace inclosed by the tubes than the ends of the contiguous tubes whereby the inner row of tubes forms a combustion-chamber and the other row of tubes a smoke-chamber, and means for maintainingatire in the combustion-chamber, substantially as described.

7. A steam-generator comprising an upper annular steam and water chamber, a lower water-chamber of substantially similar con figuration, ilat tube-sheets forming the botf tom of the upper and the top of the lower chamber, a row of tubes connecting the tubesheets and arranged so that the ends of each alternate tube shall be farther from the axial center of the space inclosed by thev tubes than the ends of the contiguous tubes, said tubes being bent so as to touch each other at their centers and for a considerable distance each side thereof whereby acombustion-chamber is formed, substantially as described.

8. A steam-generator comprising an upper annular steam and Water chamber, a lower Water-chamber of substantially similar configuration, fiat tube-sheets forming the bottom of the upper chamber and the top of the lower chamber, a row of tubes connecting the tube-sheets and arranged so that each alternate tube has its ends at a greater radial distance from the axial center of the space inclosed by the tube-sheets than the ends of the contiguous tube, the tubes being bent so as to touch each other at their centers and for a considerable distance each side, whereby a combustion-chamber is formed, and a second row of tubes also connecting the tubesheets and similarly arranged whereby a chamber for the products of combustion is formed between the two rows of tubes, substantially as described.

9. A steam-generator comprising an upper IOO IIO

annular steam and water chamber, a lower water-chamber of substantially similar configuration, a fuel-opening bounded by the upper steam and water chamber, means for closing said opening, tubes connecting the under side of the upper chamber with the upper side of the lower chamber, said tubes being bent between their ends whereby any tendency to contract or expand will be taken up in the tubes and the joints between the tubes and the chambers will not be weakened, and means for maintaining a fire in the space inclosed by the tubes, substantially as described.

10. A steam-generator comprising an upper annular steam and water chamber, a lower water-chamber of substantially similar configuration, a fuel-opening bounded by the up per chamber, flat tube-sheets forming the bottom of the upper chamber and the top of the lower chamber, tubes bent between their ends connecting said tube-sheets whereby any tend'- ency to contract or expand will be taken up in the tubes and the joints between the tubes and the tube-sheets will not be weakened, and means for maintaining a re in the space inclosed by the tubes, substantially as described.

11. Asteam-generator comprising an upper annular steam and water chamber, a lower water-chamber of substantially similar configuration, a fuel-opening bounded by the upper chamber, flat tube-sheets forming the bottom of the upper and the top of the lower chamber, a row of tubes connecting the tubesheets and arranged so that the ends of each alternate tube shall be farther from the axial center of the space inclosed by the tubes than the ends of the contiguous tube, said tubes being bent so as to touch. each other at their centers and for a considerable distance each side thereof whereby a combustion-chamber is formed, substantially as described.

12. A steam-generator comprising an upper annular steam and water chamber, a lower water-chamber of substantially similar configuration, a fuel-opening bounded by the upper chamber, flat tube-sheets forming the bot tom of the upper and the top of thelower chamber, a row of tubes connecting the tubesheets and arranged so that the ends of each alternate tube shall be farther from the axial center of the space inclosed by the tubes than the ends of the contiguous tube, said tubes being bent so as to touch each other at their centers and for a considerable distance each side thereof whereby a combustion-chamber is formed, and a second row of tubes also connecting the tube sheets and similarly arranged whereby a chamber for the products of combustion is formed between the two rows of tubes, substantially as described.

13. A steam-generatorcomprising an annular steam and water chamber, an annular water-chamber below the said steam and water chamber, water-tubes forming side walls of a fire-box, spaced apart to allow products of combustion to pass between them, and connecting the interiors of the two said chambers, a casing surrounding and forming a passage with the said tubes, an outlet for the products of combustion from the said passage, a movable cover for the said re-box, means for supporting fuel within and admitting air to the said fire-box, and a fan adapted to draw products of combustion from the said passage, substantially as described.

14. A steam-generator comprising an annular steam and water chamber, an annular water-chalnber below the said steam and water chamber, annular rows of water-tubes forming side walls of a lire-box, arranged one within another, and connecting the interiors of the said chambers, the tubes of each row being bent and arranged so that adjacent tubes touch one another in their middle parts but that alternate tubes have their respective ends at a greater distance radially from the vertical axis of the fire-box than the corresponding ends of the tubes contiguous to them, means for preventing products of combustion from passing through the rows of tubes except at alternate ends of adjacent rows, a liring-door closing the opening bounded by the said steam and water chamber, a baiiie adapted to prevent flame from coming into direct contact with thev said steam and water chamber, and means for supporting fuel within, and admitting air to, the said tire-box, substantially as described.

15. Asteam-generator comprising an annular steam and water chamber constructed of an annular tube-plate, inner and outer rings or plates forming the walls of the chamber and a removable cover-plate, an annular water-chamber, water-tubes forming side walls of a fire-box or furnace and connecting the interiors of the two said chambers, a casing surrounding said water-tubes, a fuel-supply opening bounded by the steam and water chamber and a movable door for closing said opening, substantially as described.

16. A steam-generator comprising an annular steam and water chamber constructed of an annular tubeplate,inner and outer rings or plates forming the walls of the chamber and a removable cover-plate, a steam-dome fixed tosaid cover-plate and in communication with the interior of said steam and water chamber, a steam-outlet pipe extending from said steam-dome, an annular water-chamber, water-tubes forming side walls of a fire-box or furnace and connecting the interiors of the two said chambers, a casin g surrounding said Water-tubes, a fuel-supply opening bounded by the steam and water chamber and a movable .door for closing said opening, substantially as described.

17. A steam-generator comprising an annular upper steam and Water vessel comprising a lower tube-plate, concentric inner and outer side walls and a removable cover-plate formed with one or more steam-exit openings, a closed steam pipe or drum fixed over said openings,

IOO

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and a steam-exit pipe extending through one by said steam and Water vessel, anda movside and the cover-plate of said steam and able door for said opening, substantially as water chamber to the upper portion of said described.

steam pipe or drum, an annular Water-cham- In testimony whereof I have signed my 15 ber arranged below said steam and water name to this specification in the presence of chamber and provided with one or more mudtwo subscribing Witnesses.

cocks, Water-tubes connecting said upper and y lower chambers and arranged to form the JOHN EDWARD THORNYCROFT Wall of a fire-box, a casing surrounding said Water-tubes, and a fuel-supply opening 1ooated at the top of said fire-box and bounded l Witnesses:

PERCY E. MATTOCKS, EDMUND S. SNEWIN. 

